Russia's Pussy Riot appeal to European rights court

Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights over their jail sentences for a protest against President Vladimir Putin's links to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Convicted for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred", Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina are almost halfway through two-year terms. Yekaterina Samutsevich was released on appeal with a suspended sentence. Lawyer Pavel Chikov said Russia had violated their right to freedom of speech, a fair trial and liberty. (Reuters)